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The Plot Bandits #4
The Taskmaster
The Perfect Storybook Ending?Just as Pleasance gets a grip . . .
Just as Dullard realises the truth . . .
Just as Flirt and Shoulders get ahead . . .
Just as Fodder exploits literary convention . . .
Just as Ordinary people actually start to listen . . .
Just as readers begin to feel tantalised by the blurb . . .
Wait.
You didn’t think we were about to spoil the ending for you, did you? This is the fourth and final book of the Plot Bandits “trilogy”! We’re saying nothing.
Just as Dullard realises the truth . . .
Just as Flirt and Shoulders get ahead . . .
Just as Fodder exploits literary convention . . .
Just as Ordinary people actually start to listen . . .
Just as readers begin to feel tantalised by the blurb . . .
Wait.
You didn’t think we were about to spoil the ending for you, did you? This is the fourth and final book of the Plot Bandits “trilogy”! We’re saying nothing.
- GenresFantasy
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2023
About the author
Katherine Vick
4 books16 followersKatherine Vick was born in the middle bit of England longer ago than she’d care to admit (1979, if you must know. Aren’t you nosy?). She studied Geography at University of Wales, Aberystwyth, writing her dissertation on the Role of Landscape and Culture in Fantasy Novels. She then moved onto a Master’s degree in Literary Studies and Creative Writing at University of Central England, where she wrote the dissertation that inspired the creation of Fodder, so she hopes you’ll feel she put her education to good use. She flirted briefly with fast food and retail work before settling down as a college administrator. She spends occasional weekends on historic battlefields in her capacity as a rather clumsy late medieval re-enactor. She (mis)spent a part of her youth writing stories based around other people’s literary and media creations. She likes to read and watch fantasy, history and science fiction - frankly anything that gets her away from the real world, which is far too much trouble. Occasionally she even gets around to writing stuff.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 31, 2023
A wonderfully over-the-top finale to a hilarious series.
"The Taskmaster" is the perfect ending to Katherine Vick's 4-part "Plot Bandits" series. It's a fantasy with a premise similar to John Scalzi's "Redshirts:" the minor characters stage a rebellion. Fodder is sick of being a disposable bit player; he wants to be the hero. Flirt wants to ditch being a barmaid and be a warrior instead. Shoulders is just sick of getting beheaded every time there's a Quest. Princess Pleasance is happy with her time in the spotlight, but she doesn't want to marry the guy the Narrative has picked out for her. And then there's the misnamed Prince Dullard, who just wants to be fair to everyone.
The misadventures that started in "The Disposable" come to a hilarious climax in this one, as our heroes mess up the Narrative's noble quest in increasingly ridiculous ways. The quest ends with an unexpected twist, and Fodder must confront the Taskmaster who's been in charge of the Narrative all along, who only communicates through written instructions. The Taskmaster turns out to be nothing like what Fodder (or the reader) expected.
After that, the denouement goes on for an unusually long time, but the details are entertaining. The right couple winds up together, Fodder becomes a hero in a very different way than he'd expected, and "happily ever after" gets a whole new meaning.
I definitely recommend this series, a hilarious but loving sendup of fantasy tropes. It needs to be read in order, so start with "The Disposable."
"The Taskmaster" is the perfect ending to Katherine Vick's 4-part "Plot Bandits" series. It's a fantasy with a premise similar to John Scalzi's "Redshirts:" the minor characters stage a rebellion. Fodder is sick of being a disposable bit player; he wants to be the hero. Flirt wants to ditch being a barmaid and be a warrior instead. Shoulders is just sick of getting beheaded every time there's a Quest. Princess Pleasance is happy with her time in the spotlight, but she doesn't want to marry the guy the Narrative has picked out for her. And then there's the misnamed Prince Dullard, who just wants to be fair to everyone.
The misadventures that started in "The Disposable" come to a hilarious climax in this one, as our heroes mess up the Narrative's noble quest in increasingly ridiculous ways. The quest ends with an unexpected twist, and Fodder must confront the Taskmaster who's been in charge of the Narrative all along, who only communicates through written instructions. The Taskmaster turns out to be nothing like what Fodder (or the reader) expected.
After that, the denouement goes on for an unusually long time, but the details are entertaining. The right couple winds up together, Fodder becomes a hero in a very different way than he'd expected, and "happily ever after" gets a whole new meaning.
I definitely recommend this series, a hilarious but loving sendup of fantasy tropes. It needs to be read in order, so start with "The Disposable."
June 21, 2023
Wowser! Fantastic end to an amazing series.
It’s a fun and crazy adventure, but this well-written and thoughtful story also has real heart which brings the characters to life.
I thoroughly recommend The Plot Bandits series to all readers who embrace the funny and the fantastic. I’m a big fan of Vick’s writing - it’s British humour at its best - and also deliciously meta and sharp as a tack in its affectionate satire of the fantasy genre.
If you like Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, this series is definitely for you!
It’s a fun and crazy adventure, but this well-written and thoughtful story also has real heart which brings the characters to life.
I thoroughly recommend The Plot Bandits series to all readers who embrace the funny and the fantastic. I’m a big fan of Vick’s writing - it’s British humour at its best - and also deliciously meta and sharp as a tack in its affectionate satire of the fantasy genre.
If you like Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, this series is definitely for you!
July 22, 2023
The Taskmaster is the fourth and final book in the rebellious Plot Bandits trilogy that became a tetralogy. I’m going to miss these characters!
As with the previous three books, this one is a fun, witty, surprisingly profound adventure.
What does it mean to have freedom of choice? Do we all play an assigned role in life, whether or not we’re aware of it? And why does Shoulders keep losing his head?
If you’re looking for a wild romp that is a fantasy escapade unlike any other, this is the series for you!
As with the previous three books, this one is a fun, witty, surprisingly profound adventure.
What does it mean to have freedom of choice? Do we all play an assigned role in life, whether or not we’re aware of it? And why does Shoulders keep losing his head?
If you’re looking for a wild romp that is a fantasy escapade unlike any other, this is the series for you!
May 23, 2026
I cannot stress how much of a hidden gem this series is. Sure, its a parody and a bloody funny one, but the characters still have character and heart and grow with the story.
Plot: imagine that youre writing a fantasy book, but outside of the story the people exist in those roles. And some arent happy with the roles they've been given, so they try to buck the system. Thats what Fodder, Shoulders, Flirt, Dullard and Pleasance are trying to do.
I'm sad this series is over now. But also it was so perfectly paced and planned that i think its perfect just how it has concluded.
This last book was as chaotic as you'd expect, given how much disruption the gang have caused to the story (and continue to cause). And yet everything made sense in a fantasy book world. This honestly had me seeing other books differently as I read them: the reasons behind the heroes traversing, seemingly aimlessly, across countrysides; how characters react; and how stereotyped a lot of characters are.
It also had me feeling guilty about all the unfinished stories I've written throughout my life 😅
Love the characters, the way they behaved. Everyone had a reason, even if that was as nonsensical as "the narrative told me to".
Can't recommend this series enough, for both fun and actual content.
Plot: imagine that youre writing a fantasy book, but outside of the story the people exist in those roles. And some arent happy with the roles they've been given, so they try to buck the system. Thats what Fodder, Shoulders, Flirt, Dullard and Pleasance are trying to do.
I'm sad this series is over now. But also it was so perfectly paced and planned that i think its perfect just how it has concluded.
This last book was as chaotic as you'd expect, given how much disruption the gang have caused to the story (and continue to cause). And yet everything made sense in a fantasy book world. This honestly had me seeing other books differently as I read them: the reasons behind the heroes traversing, seemingly aimlessly, across countrysides; how characters react; and how stereotyped a lot of characters are.
It also had me feeling guilty about all the unfinished stories I've written throughout my life 😅
Love the characters, the way they behaved. Everyone had a reason, even if that was as nonsensical as "the narrative told me to".
Can't recommend this series enough, for both fun and actual content.
November 18, 2023
I so enjoy a happy ending!! It has been so much fun to read this 4th and final book in the Plot Bandit series. If you like original and creative storylines, then this book (and the whole series) is for you! Throughout this and the other books, you immediately want to cheer for the underdogs in the story. And these underdogs are amazing -- they survive so many twists and turns and still they persevere!! I am actually quite sad to say good-bye to Fodder, Flirt, Shoulders, Dodder, Pleasance and so many more characters that I have become so fond of!! Again, I highly recommend this book and the other 3 from the Plot Bandit series!! I know there will be a smile on your face as you finish reading these books!!
January 2, 2024
Review of the entire series.
Very creative, but books 2 and 3 dragged, imho.
Would have preferred this to be a trimmed down two volume escapade.
That being said, writing is good and I look for more.
Very creative, but books 2 and 3 dragged, imho.
Would have preferred this to be a trimmed down two volume escapade.
That being said, writing is good and I look for more.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews